Free The Blue Ridge Resistance by Steven Bird Page A

results. “Here is what we have, folks; other than the obvious need for gasoline, diesel, kerosene, etc., we seem to have several folks that need roofing materials of some sort. We need salt and spices of any kind available, coffee, and ammunition of various calibers. A few folks have some specific mechanical parts they need in order to fix tools and equipment they already have, and several of the guys are looking for scrap metal of any kind, as well as welding supplies. Molly wants us to keep an eye out for school or reference books to help with homeschooling the children. Rachel gave us a list of medications, in addition to yours, Robert, as well as some other medical and health related supplies. Aside from that, I’m sure a lot of what we bring back will be stuff we come across along the way that we just can’t bring ourselves to leave behind, so we will just adapt our list as we go.”
    Jimmy asked, “What do you think the chances are of us even finding that sort of stuff.”
    At this point, Ed spoke up and said, “I know I’m new here, but I’m also the most recent one to have been out in the rest of the world. As far as medications and stuff go, the odds aren’t good. Most pharmacies that I have seen that aren’t heavily guarded government facilities, were looted and ransacked early on. Medicine cabinets in abandoned houses and things of that nature may be our only hope in that regard, but as far as building supplies and random resources go, you can find that stuff everywhere. You may have to tear apart an abandoned building to get it, so I recommend we take plenty of tools along, but it’s there.”
    “The same goes for the school materials,” he continued. “Not too many people bothered carrying that stuff along when they bugged out. Food supplies, though, have pretty much all been spoken for. I suggest we take some things along as barter for those. There may be a group out there with a cache of salt, for example, that would gladly trade it for some of the canned goods that some of you folks have put away from last season’s garden surpluses. It’s really all a big unknown, but all we can do is try.”
    After a little more chatter around the room, the plan was finalized and the group planned to set out in two days in order to give everyone a chance to prepare for the journey. Going on the journey would be Evan, Jason, Ed, Nate, Charlie, and Jimmy.

Chapter 10: Getting Underway
     
     
    The morning of the supply run had finally arrived, and over the past several days, everyone involved had been making their preparations. Evan and Jason had traveled to Robert Brooks’ homestead to acquire his tractor for the journey, and had collected contributions of diesel fuel from everyone who could spare it. They had also collected thirty jars of canned green beans, ten jars of canned tomatoes, and a few random items like canned peppers and radishes from the previous season’s harvest for barter. They also got a few bottles of whiskey that some of the residents had squirreled away. Jimmy Lewis brought along twenty jars of his very own moonshine for barter, which could be used, not only as alcohol to imbibe, but also as a cleaner or disinfectant, as well for medical or hygiene purposes due to its pure alcohol content.
    To conserve fuel, the men decided to put the ATVs belonging to Charlie and Jimmy inside the livestock trailer, to be pulled out only when needed, or if they needed the room inside the trailer for the goods acquired along the way. 
    After everyone said their goodbyes to family members who had accompanied them to the Homefront for their send off, Evan climbed up onto the tractor to take the first shift behind the wheel. Jason climbed up alongside him and sat on the toolbox that Robert had bolted to the rear fender, giving him a good position to ride shotgun with his Remington 700. Ed, Charlie, Nate, and Jimmy then climbed inside the trailer, taking up positions in the front, middle, and rear. Being a